Table 13. Solving image-quality problems Problem Cause Solution Background scatter appears on a printed page. Bits of toner distributed on the front or back of a printed page can cause background scatter. Background scatter often is isolated to a specific area of the page. Try changing the print density setting. If that doesn’t work, change the paper type, weight, or surface finish. If background scatter occurs on an envelope, try moving the text to an area with no seams. Printing on seams can cause this problem. Background scatter can be caused by toner buildup on the pressure roller. See “To clean the print path” on page 54. The pickup roller is dirty.
See “To clean the product and replace the pickup roller” on page 55. Toner has spilled inside the product. See “Cleaning the product” on page 54. The page is completely black. An engine test was performed when the formatter was disconnected. Reconnect the formatter. The formatter must be connected during an engine test. The toner cartridge was improperly installed. Remove the cartridge and reinstall it. The toner cartridge is defective. Replace the toner cartridge. Continuity in the high-voltage contact points is interrupted. Perform the “high-voltage power supply check” (see page 171). There is a problem in the ECU or the laser/scanner.
Follow the steps in “Basic troubleshooting” on page 146 to isolate the problem. Replace the ECU or the laser/scanner, as needed. Characters are only partially printed (also referred to as dropouts). A single sheet of paper is defective. Try reprinting the job. The print density needs to be adjusted. Adjust the print density from the control panel. The moisture content of the paper is inconsistent or the paper has moist or wet spots on the surface. Make sure that the media meets HP’s specifications. The paper was damaged by inconsistent manufacturing processes. Make sure that the media meets specifications detailed in HP’s media specifications guide.
A “draft mode” or “economy mode” is selected in the software. Try a “normal” or “best” setting. EN Image formation troubleshooting 161